Founded recently in September 2011, by Stephen Littlehales & Steve Marino in Melbourne, Motocicletta is an online store specialising in performance parts. They are the official Australian NCR Centre offering the new NCR M4, and M4 One Shot to the Aussie public, plus they are in the throws of putting together a workshop, a crash repair shop, and expanding their race programme for next year.

Inspiration is near at hand...

When they're able to rip themselves away from their desks, the two Steves are busily prepping and modifying the company race bike. It's not uncommon for parts to mysteriously disappear from the warehouse shelf and then magically re-appear on the race bike. They also double as pit crew, leaving the riding in the capable hands of David Simpson. David is returning stunning results, and the team believe they are well on track for a great finish to the season.

(If there are any bits left over, feel free to send them to the Shed...)

The bike is in a constant state of evolution, and showcases plenty of Motocicletta's performance parts. The engine internals are currently completely stock, as the team has been focused on other areas. Rear wheel horse power is currently sitting at a modest 84, with plans for cams and other refinements in the pipeline.

Other improvements to the bike include; - OZ Forged Aluminum Racing Wheels, shod in Pirelli Slicks - Ducati 748R disk rotors - Brembo Monobloc calipers with custom lines - Demontech rear underslung Brembo 2 piston caliper - Ducati 1098s Ohlins front forks - Tracksliders crash protection to front and rear axles, and engine mount. - NCR triple clamps - NCR titanium clip ons - Ducati 1098 Radail Master Cylinders, with Metaltech folding levers - Accossato Quick Throttle - Ohlins steering damper - NCR quick release fuel cap - NCR cam covers - NCR carbon fibre valve covers - Duc Shop Hyper Stacks, soon to be replaced by custom MWR filters - GB Racing casing protection - NCR/EVR dry slipper clutch. Converted from wet clutch by Motologic. - NCR titanium clutch cover - NCR clutch slave cylinder - NCR titanium racing exhaust. Custom heel guards by Tracksliders. - HM Quickshifter - NCR rear sets with custom non folding pegs and custom offset plate by Tracksliders. - NCR Ohlins rear shock absorbers, Re-valved by Motologic - NCR rear pick ups - Talon and Driven rear sprockets - Ballistic LifePO4 8 cell battery in custom aluminum battery holder by Tracksliders - DP Body Kit - Ducati 1098 seat - DM Meccanica Pro 2 Programmable Power Module - RaceChrono GPS lap Timer Pro System

Good mate and Aussie TT racer Cam Donald tries the bike for size, while pilot Dave "Simmo" Simpson offers advice on the best way through Creg Ny Baa.

Here is just a small selection of pics from the two Steve's archive, showing Simmo in full effect on the tarmac: Results so far have been superb: Mac Park: Saturday: SPRINT SERIES Race 1. 3rd Thunderbike (slight mishap while going for outright lead!) Race 2. 1st Thunderbike, 2nd outright Race 3. 1st Thunderbike, 2nd outright Over all result. 1st Thunderbike Sunday: TT SERIES Race 1. 1st Thunderbike, 3rd outright Race 2. 1st Thunderbike, 4th outright Over all result. 1st Thuderbike, Leading the TT series

The view the opposition spends most of it's time looking at...

Follow updates on results, photos and questions from jealous onlookers on Ducati.ms